Text Search:

Word

Text Options:

Main

Texts (English)

Second Day
-
Novel III

[Voice:
pampinea
]

[
001
]
Three young men squander their substance and are
reduced to poverty. Their nephew, returning home
a desperate man, falls in with an abbot, in whom he
discovers the daughter of the King of England. She
marries him, and he retrieves the losses and reestablishes
the fortune of his uncles.

[Voice:
author
]

[
002
]
The ladies marvelled to hear the adventures of Rinaldo d'Asti,
praised his devotion, and gave thanks to God and St. Julian for the
succour lent him in his extreme need. Nor, though the verdict was
hardly outspoken, was the lady deemed unwise to take the boon
which God had sent her. [
003
]
So they tittered and talked of her night
of delight, while Pampinea, being seated by Filostrato, and surmising
that her turn would, as it did, come next, was lost in meditation on
what she was to say. Roused from her reverie by the word of the
queen, she put on a cheerful courage, and thus began:

[Voice:
pampinea
]

[
004
]
Noble ladies, discourse as we may of Fortune's handiwork, much
still remains to be said if we but scan events aright, nor need we
marvel thereat, if we but duly consider that all matters, which we
foolishly call our own, are in her hands, and therefore subject, at her
inscrutable will, to every variety of chance and change without any
order therein by us discernible. [
005
]
Which is indeed signally manifest
everywhere and all day long; yet, as 'tis our queen's will that we
speak thereof, perhaps 'twill not be unprofitable to you, if,
notwithstanding
it has been the theme of some of the foregoing stories, I add
to them another, which, I believe, should give you pleasure.

[Voice:
pampinea
]

[
006
]
There was formerly in our city a knight, by name Messer
Tedaldo, of the Lamberti, according to some, or, as others say, of the
Agolanti
family, perhaps for no better reason than that the occupation
of his sons was similar to that which always was and is the
occupation of the Agolanti. [
007
]
However, without professing to
determine which of the two houses he belonged to, I say, that he
was in his day a very wealthy knight, and had three sons, the eldest
being by name Lamberto, the second Tedaldo, and the third
Agolante. Fine, spirited young men were they all, though the
eldest was not yet eighteen years old when their father, Messer
Tedaldo, died very rich, leaving to them as his lawful heirs the
whole of his property both movable and immovable. [
008
]
Finding
themselves thus possessed of great wealth, both in money and in
lands and chattels, they fell to spending without stint or restraint,
indulging their every desire, maintaining a great establishment, and
a large and well-filled stable, besides dogs and hawks, keeping ever
open house, scattering largesses, jousting, and, not content with these
and the like pastimes proper to their condition, indulging every
appetite natural to their youth. [
009
]
They had not long followed this
course of life before the cash left them by their father was exhausted;
and, their rents not sufficing to defray their expenditure, they began
to sell and pledge their property, and disposing of it by degrees, one
item to-day and another to-morrow, they hardly perceived that they
were approaching the verge of ruin, until poverty opened the eyes
which wealth had fast sealed. [
010
]
So one day Lamberto called his
brothers to him, reminded them of the position of wealth and
dignity which had been theirs and their father's before them, and
shewed them the poverty to which their extravagance had reduced
them, and adjured them most earnestly that, before their destitution
was yet further manifest, they should all three sell what little
remained to them and depart thence; which accordingly they did.
[
011
]
Without leave-taking, or any ceremony, they quitted Florence; nor
did they rest until they had arrived in England and established
themselves in a small house in London, where, by living with extreme
parsimony and lending at exorbitant usances, they prospered so well
that in the course of a few years they amassed a fortune; [
012
]
and so,
one by one, they returned to Florence, purchased not a few of their
former estates besides many others, and married. The management
of their affairs in England where they continued their business of
usurers, they left to a young nephew, Alessandro by name, while,
heedless
alike of the teaching of experience and of marital and
parental duty, they all three launched out at Florence into more
extravagant expenditure than before, and contracted debts on all
hands and to large amounts. [
013
]
This expenditure they were enabled
for some years to support by the remittances made by Alessandro,
who, to his great profit, had lent money to the barons on the
security of their castles and rents.

[Voice:
pampinea
]

[
014
]
While the three brothers thus continued to spend freely, and,
when short of money, to borrow it, never doubting of help from
England, it so happened that, to the surprise of everybody, there
broke out in England a war between the King and his son, by which
the whole island was divided into two camps; whereby Alessandro
lost all his mortgages of the baronial castles and every other source of
income whatsoever. [
015
]
However, in the daily expectation that peace
would be concluded between the King and his son, Alessandro,
hoping that in that event all would be restored to him, principal and
interest, tarried in the island; and the three brothers at Florence in
no degree retrenched their extravagant expenditure, but went on
borrowing from day to day. [
016
]
Several years thus passed; and, their
hopes being frustrated, the three brothers not only lost credit, but,
being pressed for payment by their creditors, were suddenly arrested,
and, their property proving deficient, were kept in prison for the
balance, while their wives and little children went into the country
parts, or elsewhere, wretchedly equipped, and with no other prospect
than to pass the rest of their days in destitution. [
017
]
Alessandro, meanwhile,
seeing that the peace, which he had for several years awaited
in England, did not come, and deeming that he would hazard his
life to no purpose by tarrying longer in the country, made up his
mind to return to Italy. He travelled at first altogether alone; but
it so chanced that he left Bruges at the same time with an abbot,
habited in white, attended by a numerous retinue, and preceded by
a goodly baggage-train. Behind the abbot rode two greybeard
knights, kinsmen of the King, in whom Alessandro recognised
acquaintances, and, making himself known to them, was readily
received into their company. [
018
]
As thus they journeyed together,
Alessandro softly asked them who the monks were that rode in front
with so great a train, and whither they were bound.
[
019
]
“
The foremost
rider,
”
replied one of the knights,
“
is a young kinsman of ours, the
newly-elected
abbot of one of the greatest abbeys of England; and
as he is not of legal age for such a dignity, we are going with him to
Rome to obtain the Holy Father's dispensation and his confirmation
in the office; but this is not a matter for common talk.
”
[
020
]
Now the
new abbot, as lords are wont to do when they travel, was sometimes
in front, sometimes in rear of his train; and thus it happened that,
as he passed, he set eyes on Alessandro, who was still quite young,
and very shapely and well-favoured, and as courteous, gracious and
debonair as e'er another. The abbot was marvellously taken with
him at first sight, having never seen aught that pleased him so much,
called him to his side, addressed him graciously, and asked him who
he was, whence he came, and whither he was bound. [
021
]
Alessandro
frankly told all about himself, and having thus answered the abbot's
questions, placed himself at his service as far as his small ability
might extend. [
022
]
The abbot was struck by his easy flow of apt speech,
and observing his bearing more closely, he made up his mind that,
albeit his occupation was base, he was nevertheless of gentle blood,
which added no little to his interest in him; and being moved to
compassion by his misfortunes, he gave him friendly consolation,
bidding him be of good hope, that if he lived a worthy life, God
would yet set him in a place no less or even more exalted than that
whence Fortune had cast him down, and prayed him to be of his
company as far as Tuscany, as both were going the same way.
[
023
]
Alessandro thanked him for his words of comfort, and professed
himself ready to obey his every command.

[Voice:
pampinea
]

[
024
]
So fared on the abbot, his mind full of new ideas begotten by the
sight of Alessandro, until some days later they came to a town which
was none too well provided with inns; and, as the abbot must needs
put up there, Alessandro, who was well acquainted with one of the
innkeepers, arranged that the abbot should alight at his house, and
procured him the least discomfortable quarters which it could afford.
He thus became for the nonce the abbot's seneschal, and being very
expert for such office, managed excellently, quartering the retinue in
divers parts of the town. So the abbot supped, and, the night being
far spent, all went to bed except Alessandro, who then asked the host
where he might find quarters for the night.
[
025
]
“
In good sooth, I
know not,
”
replied the host;
“
thou seest that every place is occupied,
and that I and my household must lie on the benches. However,
in the abbot's chamber there are some corn-sacks. I can shew
thee the way thither, and lay a bit of a bed upon them, and there, an
it like thee, thou mayst pass the night very well.
”
“
How sayst
thou?
”
[
026
]
said Alessandro;
“
in the abbot's chamber, which thou
knowest is small, so that there was not room for any of the monks
to sleep there? Had I understood this when the curtains were
drawn, I would have quartered his monks on the corn-sacks, and
slept myself where the monks sleep.
”
[
027
]
“
'Tis even so, however,
”
replied the host,
“
and thou canst, if thou wilt, find excellent quarters
there: the abbot sleeps, the curtains are close drawn; I will go
in softly and lay a small bed there, on which thou canst sleep.
”
[
028
]
Alessandro, satisfied that it might be managed without disturbing the
abbot, accepted the offer, and made his arrangements for passing the
night as quietly as he could.

[Voice:
pampinea
]

The abbot was not asleep; his mind being far too overwrought
by certain newly-awakened desires. He had heard what had passed
between Alessandro and the host, he had marked the place where
Alessandro had lain down, and in the great gladness of his heart had
begun thus to commune with himself:
“
God has sent me the
opportunity of gratifying my desire; if I let it pass, perchance it
will be long before another such opportunity occurs.
”
[
029
]
So, being
minded by no means to let it slip, when all was quiet in the inn, he
softly called Alessandro, and bade him lie down by his side. Alessandro
made many excuses, but ended by undressing and obeying;
[
030
]
whereupon the abbot laid a hand on Alessandro's breast, and began to
caress him just as amorous girls do their lovers; whereat Alessandro
marvelled greatly, doubting the abbot was prompted to such caresses
by a shameful love. [
031
]
Which the abbot speedily divined, or else surmised
from some movement on Alessandro's part, and, laughing,
threw off a chemise which she had upon her, and taking Alessandro's
hand, laid it on her bosom, saying:
“
Alessandro, dismiss thy foolish
thought, feel here, and learn what I conceal.
”
[
032
]
Alessandro obeyed,
laying a hand upon the abbot's bosom, where he encountered two
little teats, round, firm and delicate, as they had been of ivory;
whereby he at once knew that 'twas a woman, and without awaiting
further encouragement forthwith embraced her, and would have
kissed her, when she said:
[
033
]
“
Before thou art more familiar with me
hearken to what I have to say to thee. As thou mayst perceive, I
am no man, but a woman. Virgin I left my home, and was going
to the Pope to obtain his sanction for my marriage, when, as Fortune
willed, whether for thy gain or my loss, no sooner had I seen thee
the other day, than I burned for thee with such a flame of love as
never yet had lady for any man. Wherefore I am minded to have
thee for my husband rather than any other; so, if thou wilt not
have me to wife, depart at once, and return to thine own place.
”
[
034
]
Albeit he knew not who she was, Alessandro by the retinue which
attended her conjectured that she must be noble and wealthy, and he
saw that she was very fair; so it was not long before he answered
that, if such were her pleasure, it was very much to his liking.
[
035
]
Whereupon she sate up, set a ring on his finger, and espoused him
before a tiny picture of our Lord; after which they embraced, and
to their no small mutual satisfaction solaced themselves for the rest
of the night. [
036
]
At daybreak Alessandro rose, and by preconcert with
the lady, left the chamber as he had entered it, so that none knew
where he had passed the night: then, blithe at heart beyond measure,
he rejoined the abbot and his train, and so, resuming their journey,
they after many days arrived at Rome. [
037
]
They had not been there
more than a few days, when the abbot, attended by the two knights
and Alessandro, waited on the Pope, whom, after making the due
obeisance, he thus addressed:
“
Holy Father, as you must know
better than any other, whoso intends to lead a true and honourable
life ought, as far as may be, to shun all occasion of error; for which
cause I, having a mind to live honourably, did, the better to accomplish
my purpose, assume the habit in which you see me, and depart
by stealth from the court of my father, the King of England, who
was minded to marry me, young as you see me to be, to the aged
King of Scotland; and, carrying with me not a little of his treasure,
set my face hitherward that your Holiness might bestow me in
marriage. [
038
]
Nor was it the age of the King of Scotland that moved
me to flee so much as fear lest the frailty of my youth should, were I
married to him, betray me to commit some breach of divine law, and
sully the honour of my father's royal blood. [
039
]
And as in this frame of
mind I journeyed, God, who knows best what is meet for every
one, did, as I believe, of His mercy shew me him whom He is pleased
to appoint me for my husband, even this young man
”
(pointing to
Alessandro)
“
whom you see by my side, who for nobility of nature
and bearing is a match for any great lady, though the strain of his
blood, perhaps, be not of royal purity. [
040
]
Him, therefore, have I
chosen, him will I have, and no other, no matter what my father or
any one else may think. And albeit the main purpose with which I
started is fulfilled, yet I have thought good to continue my journey,
that I may visit the holy and venerable places which abound in this
city, and your Holiness, and that so in your presence, and by consequence
in the presence of others, I may renew my marriage-vow with
Alessandro, whereof God alone was witness. [
041
]
Wherefore I humbly
pray you that God's will and mine may be also yours, and that you
pronounce your benison thereon, that therewith, having the more
firm assurance of the favour of Him, whose vicar you are, we may
both live together, and, when the time comes, die to God's glory
and yours.
”

[Voice:
pampinea
]

[
042
]
Alessandro was filled with wonder and secret delight, when he
heard that his wife was the daughter of the King of England; but
greater still was the wonder of the two knights, and such their
wrath that, had they been anywhere else than in the Pope's presence,
they would not have spared to affront Alessandro, and perhaps the
lady too. [
043
]
The Pope, on his part, found matter enough for wonder
as well in the lady's habit as in her choice; but, knowing that he
could not refuse, he consented to grant her request.

[Voice:
pampinea
]

He therefore began by smoothing the ruffled tempers of the
knights, and having reconciled them with the lady and Alessandro,
proceeded to put matters in train for the marriage. [
044
]
When the day
appointed was come, he gave a great reception, at which were
assembled all the cardinals and many other great lords; to whom he
presented the lady royally robed, and looking so fair and so gracious
that she won, as she deserved, the praise of all, and likewise Alessandro,
splendidly arrayed, and bearing himself not a whit like the young
usurer but rather as one of royal blood, for which cause he received
due honour from the knights. There, before the Pope himself, the
marriage-vows were solemnly renewed; and afterwards the marriage,
which was accompanied by every circumstance that could add grace
and splendour to the ceremony, received the sanction of his benediction.
[
045
]
Alessandro and the lady on leaving Rome saw fit to visit
Florence, whither fame had already wafted the news, so that they
were received by the citizens with every token of honour. The
lady set the three brothers at liberty, paying all their creditors, and
reinstated them and their wives in their several properties. So, leaving
gracious memories behind them, Alessandro and his lady, accompanied
by Agolante, quitted Florence, and arriving at Paris were
honourably received by the King. [
046
]
The two knights went before
them to England, and by their influence induced the King to restore
the lady to his favour, and receive her and his son-in-law with every
circumstance of joy and honour. Alessandro he soon afterwards
knighted with unwonted ceremony, and bestowed on him the earldom
of Cornwall. [
047
]
And such was the Earl's consequence and influence
at court that he restored peace between father and son, thereby
conferring a great boon on the island and gaining the love and esteem
of all the people. Agolante, whom he knighted, recovered all the
outstanding debts in full, and returned to Florence immensely rich.
[
048
]
The Earl passed the rest of his days with his lady in great renown.
Indeed there are those who say, that with the help of his father-in-law
he effected by his policy and valour the conquest of Scotland,
and was crowned king of that country.